Senator Linda Newell, SPHRAs a SenatorCompleting her eighth year in the Colorado State Senate, Senator Newell has earned the reputation of being one of the most effective and hardest-working legislators at the Capitol. Because of her bipartisan and collaborative approach, she has been able to bring Republicans and Democrats together to create common-sense solutions for citizens of all demographics. Known as a problem-solver and bridge-builder, 98% of her bills have had bipartisan support.Since her start in 2009, Sen. Newell has earned over 40 awards from a variety of organizations from business to human services and public health. She has driven significant reform in mental health, child protection, juvenile justice, health care, early childhood, K-12 education, workforce development, and the arts. She has also been called, “the conscience at the Capitol” and “champion for the children” where she has also led alternative dispute resolution and restorative justice efforts, while working toward the goal ofbecoming the “most civil state in the union." Sen. Newell is a graduate of the Harvard Kennedy School of Government program for Senior Executives in State and Local Government and the Council of State Government’s Legislative Academy. In 2013, she was the only Colorado legislator to be accepted into the CSG Henry Toll Fellowship program, where she graduated that fall. Sen. Newell is currently producing a documentary film about an insider’s view of the legislative process.

As a Consultant and FacilitatorSenator Newell is a consultant and coach with an expertise in learning and organizational development, facilitation, and conflict resolution. As a certified Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR), she has worked with individuals and groups of all sizes in people/organizational strategy and a variety of human resources topics. In her personal growth and professional development workshops, she has helped people transform their fears into excitement and conflict into peace. Sen. Newell is highly skilled in facilitating stakeholder groups to create synergistic win-win solutions. She is certified in the Conflict Dynamics Profile and Working Minds suicide prevention in the workplace. She also works with children, teens, and young adults on mindfulness, compassion, and conflict management.

As a PersonA single mother of two fearless daughters, Linda personally knows about struggle and overcoming obstacles. In 1990, she and her then husband got caught in the Savings and Loan crisis and lost their livelihood, savings, and home; ending up on public assistance. At that time, Linda made a commitment to serve those in times of adversity, and eventually, she recovered and earned her way up to the senior director level in the corporate world. Despite any challenge, (and she’s had many) Linda manages to dust herself off and come out on top. Everywhere she has lived she has contributed to the community selflessly. It is her personal mission to inspire others to live their vision with integrity, accountability, and empathy.

Focus on Mental/Behavioral Health and Children and FamiliesSince coming to the legislature in 2009, Senator Newell has been dubbed “The Children’s Champion” at the Capitol for her deep dive into child protection, early childhood learning, children’s health care and mental health, and P-12 education. She is the founder and co-chair of the Children’s Caucus and co-chair of the Behavioral Health Caucus where complex child and family policy issues are brought to the awareness of her fellow legislators. Since 2010, Senator Newell has also had a focus on mental and behavioral health with historic progress in resources to Coloradans. In her eight years as a State Senator, she has sponsored over 65 bills focused on the policy area of children, youth, and families and mental/behavioral health, with over 96% success rate. Of those, her major achievements have been:

Consciously collaborative with an unmatched fortitude, she has been able to accomplish what others have attempted unsuccessfully in bringing child advocates, providers, and agencies together, as well as both parties, to help the children of Colorado be safer, healthier, and happier.

Focus on Domestic Violence and Sexual AssaultAs an advocate for stalking victims before service in the State Senate, Ms. Newell made a commitment in her very first campaign to work for better resources and justice for victims and survivors or domestic violence. She kept that promise by sponsoring eleven successful pieces of domestic violence/sexual assault legislation during her tenure. Her major successes in addition to her child-specific pieces are:

Focus on Conflict Resolution and CivilityDedicated to peacemaking since she was a youth, Senator Newell has led the charge of civility and creative problem solving into the state legislature and her own senate district. Her works in this area are: Over a 2.5-year stakeholder process and interim committee, removed Zero Tolerance expulsion/suspension mandate from school policies, and required schools to create alternative methods of discipline in their districts, i.e. restorative justice practices and peer mediation. This was landmark state legislation, which has since been adopted as model legislation in other states and federal policies. Passed several pieces of legislation to create and expand the Statewide Restorative Justice Diversion for Youth Pilot Program. Established the first (and now annual) legislative resolution for the month of October as Conflict Resolution Month in Colorado. Colorado was the first state in the country to have a month-long focus on promoting civility, teaching conflict management tools, and connecting citizens with alternative dispute resolution resources. o Via Conflict Resolution Month, she garnered all cities and towns in her district to acknowledge and focus on ways and resources for resolving conflict peacefully. o Annually, held two legislative town halls for her constituents focused on conflict management tips and resources available in their area. Taught conflict management caucus sessions and facilitated one-to- one conflict coaching to fellow legislators. Connected legislators with local ADR resources in their districts. Active legislative member for six years on the Office of Dispute Resolution Advisory Council in the judicial branch for court-appointed mediators and process.